Tampa Police Cutbacks TAMPA (WUSF) - Tampa Police announced they're cutting their budget for next year by one-point-eight-five million dollars. But no sworn officers will be affected. Thirty-six civilian positions will be cut, but twenty-nine of those will be kept for at least next year through federal grants. Those include ten civilian community service officers. Assistant Police Chief Bob Guidara says his department hopes federal stimulus money can be used to extend those contracts beyond next year.

"It's just a tough time," Guidara says. "It's tough to tell someone that they're not going to have a job in three months, but that is the reality of the economy and we're feeling it in government, that's for certain."

Guidara says four positions will be eliminated - including a crime scene technician - but it is unclear just yet who will face layoffs. The department is also eliminating three vacant positions. © Copyright 2009, WUSF